Why, even if he were no bigger than my husband's thumb, we should love
him dearly."
"That would be indeed a very strange kind of child," said Merlin, "but
I hope you may have your wish."
Now Merlin was on his way to call on the queen of the fairies.
When he came to her castle the next day, he told the fairy queen the
wish of the farmer's wife.
The queen of the fairies said, "The good woman shall have her wish. I
will give her a son no larger than her husband's thumb."